10 Summer Bulbs for a Blooming Garden and Balcony

Many people look out of the window in March and see nothing but bare beds and dreary window boxes. Yet all it takes is a free weekend, a bag of compost and a handful of carefully chosen bulbs to keep the garden or balcony flowering well into late summer. The key is knowing which varieties to plant now – and where they will be positioned later.

Why planting summer bulbs now saves the whole summer

Spring flowers such as tulips and daffodils are familiar: they are planted in autumn and reappear in March. Summer-flowering plants work slightly differently. They are planted from February to the end of May, once frost is no longer expected – and they get going in the very same year.

"Summer-flowering bulb plants turn bare spaces into densely planted islands of blooms and, depending on the species, return for several years in succession."

The reason is that bulbs, tubers and rhizomes contain an energy store simply waiting to be brought out of dormancy. Many of these plants have already received the necessary cold treatment in a greenhouse or storage facility. Planted in spring, they establish roots quickly and then flourish when other perennials are already beginning to fade.

The period from February to May is ideal, provided the soil is no longer waterlogged or frozen. A freely draining growing medium is essential, as winter waterlogging is the enemy of every tuber. In beds, incorporate a little sand or fine grit; in containers, add a drainage layer of expanded clay or gravel.

Basic rules for planting bulbs and tubers

Although the plants may look very different, the planting method is largely the same. Following a few straightforward principles prevents plenty of frustration later on.

• Always plant a bulb or tuber with its pointed end facing upwards.
• As a rule of thumb, plant it at a depth of roughly two to three times the bulb's height.
• Firm the soil gently after planting so that no air pockets remain.
• Water after planting to ensure good contact between the soil and bulb.
• Always allow for a drainage layer when planting in a pot.

Many summer bulbs cope perfectly well with mild winters in the ground, especially in sheltered positions beneath a covering of leaves. In colder areas, or for more tender types, lift the tubers in autumn, allow them to dry, then keep them frost-free, for example in boxes with a little dry soil or sand.

The 10 most exciting summer bulbs for gardens and balconies

For a truly vibrant summer display, do not rely on a single variety: combine different heights, colours and flowering periods instead. These ten choices add life to beds and containers:

Amaryllis for exotic focal points

With their large, trumpet-shaped flowers, amaryllis evoke tropical holidays. In the garden, they prefer a sunny, warm site with well-drained soil. They are equally at home in pots on a balcony or patio. Once growth begins, water them regularly, but do not give them "wet feet".

Anemones for airy carpets of flowers

Anemones produce loose clouds of cup-shaped flowers, making them ideal along bed edges or as wide-spreading ground cover. Their appearance is light and delicate, although they still need humus-rich, loose soil. Planted in groups, they make a far greater impression than when scattered individually.

Begonias: stars of shady balconies

Anyone with a north-facing balcony or shaded corners in the garden should choose tuberous begonias. They flower remarkably generously, even where many other ornamental plants give up. Plant the fleshy tubers shallowly, leaving the upper side slightly visible, and never allow them to remain in frost during autumn.

Caladiums as foliage stars

Caladiums are prized not for their flowers but for their leaves: white, pink and red, all intricately patterned. They look especially refined in the partial shade beneath trees or on sheltered patios. Their tubers need warmth and dryness while dormant, and should not go outside until the last frosts have passed.

Cannas: tropical character in a suburban garden

Cannas develop sturdy stems, large leaves and vivid flower spikes – perfect as background plants in a bed or as a specimen in a container. They favour full sun, ample water and plenty of nutrients. In many areas, the rhizomes are lifted in autumn and stored somewhere cool but frost-free.

Crocosmias for fiery colour accents

These graceful plants produce bright orange to red flowers on arching stems. Planted in groups, they create genuine streaks of flame through a perennial border. In mild locations they can overwinter in the ground beneath a mulch layer, but in harsher areas it is safer to keep them in a cellar or other frost-free space.

Dahlia tubers: classics with addictive appeal

For many amateur gardeners, dahlias are the undisputed queens of summer flowers. Their tubers produce shrubs up to a metre high, with an enormous range of blooms – from pompon forms to cactus dahlias. They need a sunny position, humus-rich soil and regular watering. Lift the tubers in autumn and store them in a cool, frost-free place.

Gladioli as a cut-flower machine

Their slender flower spikes are ideal for vases. For fresh bouquets every week, plant the corms in several batches at intervals of ten to fourteen days. This extends the flowering season into late summer.

Summer lilies with an added fragrance bonus

Lilies offer elegant flowers and, depending on the variety, an intense scent. They suit both mixed perennial borders and large containers. Their soil should be deep and free-draining, with the base of the plant preferably shaded and its upper growth in sunshine.

Tuberoses for evening fragrance on the patio

Tuberoses are true fragrance powerhouses for warm summer evenings. They are at their most appealing close to seating areas. Plant the tubers in warm, well-drained soil, then lift them in good time before the first frost in autumn.

Which position suits which bulb?

Choosing the right spot helps determine whether plants look merely "quite nice" or genuinely impressive. Sun, shade, containers or borders – much can be planned with purpose.

Type	Ideal position	Frost sensitivity
Cannas	Full-sun border or large container	Store rhizomes frost-free
Dahlias	Sunny perennial bed, cottage garden	Lift tubers in autumn
Begonias	Partial shade to shade, window boxes	Overwinter tubers cool and dry
Lilies	Partial shade to sun, deep soil	Depends on the variety, but usually fairly hardy
Caladiums	Warm partial shade, sheltered patio	Very frost-sensitive

Cannas, dahlias, crocosmias, gladioli, lilies and tuberoses are particularly suitable for hot, sunny beds. They introduce height, attract insects and combine well with low-growing perennials. In large pots on a sunny loggia, they can look almost like miniature raised beds.

Shaded areas need not remain dull: tuberous begonias, caladiums and anemones bring colour to them. Beneath trees or on the north side of a house, they create points of brightness without scorching.

How to bring bulbs safely through winter

Buying new tubers every year is money wasted. Many types can be kept successfully for years. Three things matter: lifting them at the right time, drying them thoroughly and storing them frost-free without excessive moisture.

After the first light frost, cut back the faded foliage of dahlias, cannas, begonias or tuberoses. Lift the tubers with a garden fork, shake off most of the soil and leave them to dry for a few days in an airy, dry place. Store them afterwards in crates, cardboard boxes or nets, ideally at 1 to 7°C in a dark, dry location.

"Those who allow their tubers to dry briefly in autumn and store them in a cool place lay the foundations for an ever more lavish firework display of flowers year after year."

Practical tips: combinations, care and common mistakes

Well-chosen combinations save space while also looking professional. Place tall dahlia varieties at the back, with anemones or low begonias in front and perhaps a few crocosmias between them – and the bed immediately looks as if it belongs in a garden magazine. A similar arrangement works in a container: use one tall focal plant in the centre, surrounded by lower companions.

Too little water is a common problem. Many summer bulbs originate from regions with warm summers that are not bone-dry. Compost dries out especially quickly in containers. Rather than giving frequent small sips, water deeply and then allow the soil to dry slightly.

If pests are a concern, begin with robust varieties and plant herbs such as lavender, thyme or sage among the bulb plants. Their scents deter some pests while also attracting pollinators. The result is a lively, varied planting scheme.

Finally, it is worth considering the term "bulb plant" itself: it includes true scaled bulbs, such as lilies; tubers, including begonias and dahlias; rhizomes, such as cannas; and corms, including gladioli. For the amateur gardener, the distinction is not crucial – the care approach remains similar. It becomes especially interesting over the years as the storage organs grow larger, can be divided and allow a small home nursery to expand further and further.